Responding to the CCP Threat, Glaser: We Must Build Comprehensive Resilience

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) Bonnie Glaser, a scholar from a Washington think tank, emphasized today at the opening of CITW 2026 that "comprehensive resilience" is an indispensable foundation for effective deterrence in response to the threat from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Deterrence is not solely based on military strength.

The Taiwan Democracy Lab held the opening ceremony for the "China In The World (CITW) 2026" conference today at the Courtyard by Marriott Taipei. Bonnie Glaser, Director of the Indo-Pacific Program at The German Marshall Fund, delivered the keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

Glaser stated that "comprehensive resilience" is an indispensable foundation for building effective and credible deterrence. "We should build comprehensive resilience, enhancing our strength in military, economic, technological, informational, political, and social aspects, while maintaining the most important advantage of a democratic society—openness."

She said that for decades, the understanding of "deterrence" has primarily focused on the military level. Military deterrence remains indispensable, especially in the Indo-Pacific region where peace relies on military balance. However, focusing solely on the military domain may overlook Beijing's more influential diplomatic, technological, and economic spheres.

CCP leader Xi Jinping emphasizes the "overall national security concept." Glaser said this is the core principle by which the CCP views its competition with the outside world and an important guide for policy formulation. For Beijing, competition is a continuous process that requires long-term investment and sustained competition in every field. Since Beijing is expanding the battlefield, democratic countries must also expand the scope of deterrence.

Glaser believes that "resilience" should be understood from a more proactive perspective. It is not just the ability to withstand shocks, but also the ability to prevent adversaries from achieving their political, economic, and informational influence. Resilience can alter Beijing's strategic calculations before a crisis occurs, increase the cost of coercive actions, and enhance public trust, making it impossible for disinformation and information manipulation to successfully divide society.

She said that resilience encompasses secure and reliable supply chains, democratic systems that people trust, independent media, information integrity, technological innovation, cyber resilience, social cohesion, and strong international partnerships. These capabilities combined will create a society that is more difficult to intimidate, manipulate, and divide. The stronger democratic countries are in these areas, the fewer weaknesses Beijing can exploit.

Damon Wilson, President of the National Endowment for Democracy, stated in his speech at the opening ceremony that if authoritarian regimes are cooperating with each other, then democratic countries should work together even more closely. Authoritarian regimes have weaknesses; they are united by interests, not by common values. "What distinguishes them from us is not power; the real difference lies in the values we uphold."

Wilson emphasized that Taiwan has always stood on the front lines of freedom, and its democracy remains strong despite immense pressure. Taiwan is gradually becoming an important hub for exchange and cooperation within the global democratic community, and he hopes to connect Taiwan's experiences with the efforts of democracy defenders around the world. (Editor: Chou Hui-ying) 0707

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